Lifetime Achievement award for Sheila Hancock

Sheila Hancockis being given an awarded marking her lengthy career in film and television.

The actress will pick up a Lifetime Achievement award at the 20th annual Women in Film and TV awards at the Park Lane Hilton Hotel in central London.

It will recognise her "outstanding and lasting contribution" in a career that stretches back more than 50 years.

Hancock, who first made her name in the BBC sitcom The Rag Trade, has appeared in dozens of films, plays and television shows.

Her account of her marriage to Inspector Morse star John Thaw, who died in 2002, was a best-seller.

Actress Carey Mulligan and scriptwriter Jane Goldman will also be presented with awards at the event which is being hosted by Julie Walters.

Chief executive of Women in Film and TV Kate Kinninmont said: "There are huge numbers of talented women coming through the UK's film schools, making award-winning short films and TV shows; yet as far as directing feature films are concerned, we are still only snipping away at the celluloid ceiling.

"But the number of women at this year's awards ceremony highlights the huge amount of female talent that is out there and we are working towards the day when we break through the celluloid ceiling and all talented people reach their goals, despite their gender."